Christie: If My Child Was Gay, I'd Advise Against Marriage

Gov. Chris Christie says if any of his four children came out as gay, he would hug them, tell them that he loved them — and then tell them he didn't believe they should be allowed to marry their partner.

When asked what would happen if one of his two sons and two daughters announced they were gay, he replied, "I'd grab them and hug them and tell them I love them." He said he would then tell them: "Dad believes marriage is between one man and one woman."

"My children understand that there are going to be differences of opinion in our house and in houses all across this state and across this country," Christie added, saying he would respect voters if they approved gay marriage but that the decision does not belong in the courts or the legislature.

Buono, who has an openly gay daughter, said she believes same-sex marriage is a question of human rights and should be allowed.

Christie's comments came four days after the state Supreme Court agreed to hear his administration's appeal of a judge's ruling to allow gay marriage, but indicated that it would not decide the case until next year.

A state trial judge, Mary Jacobson, ruled on Sept. 27 that same-sex couples were being denied equal rights in the wake of the landmark decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in June and ordered the state to allow same-sex marriages starting Oct. 21.

Christie reiterated his support for Republican Senate candidate Steve Lonegan, who faces Democrat Cory Booker in a special election Wednesday to fill the unexpired seat of the late Frank Lautenberg.

"I endorsed Steve Lonegan and I'll vote for him tomorrow," Christie said, adding, "The fact is, though, that we don't agree on everything."

Gov. Chris Christie says if any of his four children came out as gay, he would hug them, tell them that he loved them, and then tell them he didn't believe they should be allowed to marry their partner. The Republican governor of New Jersey was speaking...